Pru Life UK once again rolled up its sleeves for Brigada Eskwela, the Department of Education’s nationwide schools maintenance programme, rallying employee volunteers last month in support of Pleasant Hills Elementary School in Mandaluyong City.
The initiative began at the Pru Life UK’s headquarters, where employees painted pots and planted vegetable seedlings. These were later donated during a school outreach, part of a wider effort to prepare classrooms for the new academic year.
Volunteers spent the day painting walls, cleaning rooms, and organising books—bringing fresh energy to the school community. Pru Life UK also provided painting materials to support ongoing refurbishment needs.
“It’s fulfilling to give back in such a tangible way,” shares Maria Junifer Maliglig, one volunteer. “Seeing the impact first-hand is what makes it all worth it.”
A long-time participant in Brigada Eskwela since 2012, Pru Life UK’s commitment to education goes far beyond paintbrushes. Through its flagship Cha-Ching Financial Literacy Programme, the company has empowered over 1.5 million students across the Philippines with essential money management skills. Read recent story on expanding and fully integrating it in Bicol region here. The Pleasant Hills Elementary School is also a partner school for Cha-Ching.
Complementing this is the Adopt-a-Madrasah initiative, which supports Islamic schools in Mindanao with learning resources, teacher training, and tailored content on Takaful (Islamic insurance), digital skills, and sustainability. In 2025, the programme aims to reach over 1,500 learners across nine madaris.
These efforts reflect Pru Life UK’s broader mission: to foster inclusion, champion financial education, and empower communities—one classroom at a time.
Pru Life UK volunteers painted pots and classroom walls in support of Pleasant Hills Elementary School in Mandaluyong City’s Brigada Eskwela programme.
Pru Life UK volunteers also helped prepare the classrooms of Pleasant Hills Elementary Schoolin Mandaluyong City for the new academic year.
For seven decades, Rang-ay Bank has stood as a pillar of financial stability and a steadfast partner in the progress of communities across the Ilocos and Cordillera regions. Founded on January 16, 1956, Rang-ay Bank was established with a clear mission: to promote comprehensive rural development by providing crucial credit facilities to farmers, fisherfolk, and small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
“From our humble beginnings 70 years ago, Rang-ay Bank was founded on the principle of empowering the countryside. We have witnessed firsthand the tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit of the people in the north” said Ives Nisce, Chairman, Rang-ay Bank. “It has been our privilege and our driving force to provide the financial support and trust that enabled countless businesses, from small family enterprises to burgeoning industries, to take root, expand, and ultimately contribute significantly to the growth and prosperity of our beloved regions in Ilocos and the Cordilleras”, added Nisce.
UNWAVERING COMMITMENT. The bank’s commitment has always been to make financial services accessible to those who often face barriers in accessing traditional banking institutions.
SERVING THE NORTH. Over the past 70 years, Rang-ay Bank has played a vital role in the local economy. It has consistently provided affordable and accessible credit to the agricultural sector, empowering farmers and fisherfolk to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to food security.
Moreover, the bank has been a strong supporter of micro, small, and medium enterprises, recognizing their critical role in job creation and economic growth within the regions it serves.
“For generations, Rang-ay Bank has strived to be more than just a financial institution in the Ilocos and Cordillera regions. We aim to be a trusted partner in progress. Our consistent growth and enduring presence are a testament to the strong relationships we’ve built with our communities”, said Ives Jesus Nisce, President and CEO, Rang-Ay Bank. “To be considered the ‘bank of choice’ in the north is an honor that fuels our commitment to continuously understand and meet the evolving needs of our clients”.
Rang-ay Bank has also embraced progress and innovation to better serve its clientele. It has expanded its network to 31 branches across Region I and the Cordilleras, ensuring its services are within reach of a wider population.
In addition to traditional banking services, Rang-ay Bank has proactively partnered with various remittance service providers like Instapay & Pesonet, Transfast, and iRemit, offering clients more options for sending and receiving funds. This is particularly important for communities with family members working in other parts of the country or overseas.
“Next year, 2026 will be a milestone as we celebrate 70 years of Rang-ay Bank. We are excited to introduce a range of enhanced and new financial products, leveraging our upgraded core banking system. These innovations, including expanded digital capabilities and more tailored financial solutions, are designed to provide even greater convenience and value, reinforcing our promise to be a lifelong financial partner for the people of the north” said the President and CEO of Rang-Ay Bank, Ives Jesus Nisce.
QUEZON CITY, Philippines—The National Book Development Board (NBDB) has announced on August 7, 2025 of the 20 grantees selected for its Translation Subsidy Program (TSP) this year “for local authors who wish to have their works translated into a foreign language.”
Out of 32 proposals submitted to the NBDB, 20 grantees were selected. Among them are mBayuka Tanu! Maguindanaon Bayuk Translation, Transcription, and Annotation Volume 2 by Mansoor Limba, Aswanglaut by Allan N. Derain, Mga Lumadnong Sugilanon nga Mahinuklogon by Karl M. Gaspar, Si Lola Basyang sa Entablado by Christine Bellen-Ang, Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, Samtoy: Mga Kwentong Ilokano (Bagong Edisyon) by Danilo B. Antalan, Noli S. Dumlao, Aileen R. Rambaud, Arnold Pascual, Jose Sherma E. Benosa, N.M.E. Valdez, Ariel Sotelo Tabág, Juan Al. Asuncion, Roy V. Aragon, Daniel L. Nesperos, Joel B. Manuel, Prodie Gar. Padios, Mighty C. Rasing, and Selected Poetry of Gualberto Cea Manlangit by Gualberto Cea Manlangit, to name a few.
The 20 grantees’ works, which were written in Filipino, Ilokano, Maguindanaon, Bikolano, and Bisaya, cover multiple genres such as fiction, poetry, short stories and essays, comics, novel, among others, and will all be translated into English. The amount of the grant ranges from PHP 70,000 to PHP 200,000.
“We want to promote the literary works of Filipino authors through the translation of local books written in Tagalog and other Philippine languages not just into Tagalog or English, but likewise in other languages around the world so they would be known internationally. We believe translation is key to achieve that goal,” explains Ma. Carolina Tapia, NBDB’s Chief of the Creative and Professional Development Division.
Under the selection criteria established by the NBDB, grantees are chosen based on their relevance to the publishing sector and the reading public, significance in promoting knowledge on the diverse culture, events, and topics of the Philippines, and a production plan or marketing plan that is feasible and effective for local distribution and promotion efforts.
The TSP offers financial support to encourage the translation, publication, and distribution of Philippine books in foreign markets in order to introduce more Filipino stories, voices, and perspectives to readers across the globe.
Being selected as a translation grantee is a pivotal opportunity for Filipino writers. It means they will be provided with formal support for translation, visibility at major international book fairs, and an open door into the global literary marketplace. For local authors, it’s not just funding: it’s launching their work into dialogue with the world.
The program also has a separate edition designed to entice foreign publishers to translate Philippine books into foreign languages, also through a subsidy. It is a vital element of the Philippines as Guest of Honour 2025 (PhlGoH2025) initiative, an interagency collaboration led by the NBDB, together with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda. The event will be held in Frankfurt, Germany on October 15-19, 2025.
Through the years, the NBDB’s Translation Subsidy Program has contributed to increasing the number of translated Philippine titles and opened different opportunities for Filipino authors. As the Philippines prepares to take center stage at “FBM,” the world’s largest book fair, the TSP underscores the country’s commitment to promoting Filipino literature, authorship, and publishing excellence on the global stage.
It also reflects the NBDB’s strong commitment to empowering Filipino authors, fostering cultural exchange, and boosting the global presence of Philippine literature. By supporting the translation of Filipino books into foreign languages, the program brings Filipino voices and stories to a wider international audience—paving the way for richer cross-cultural understanding and meaningful global engagement as the country positions itself to become the content capital of Southeast Asia.
“The NBDB believes that every translated book serves as a bridge between languages, cultures, and more importantly, people. The NBDB’s Translation Subsidy Program is not just about funding the translation of a book. It is a commitment to help fuel a movement that places Filipino stories where they belong: in conversation with the world,” NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade pointed out. For full details on the Translation Subsidy Program, send a message to grants@books.gov.ph.
For media inquiries, please contact: Divine Reyes Caraecle Communications & Promotions Section communications@books.gov.ph 0917-1396394
About the National Book Development Board The National Book Development Board (NBDB) is the book authority of the Philippines. The agency is at the forefront of developing the Philippine publishing industry and safeguarding the country’s vibrant culture of authorship and reading. To learn more, visit our social media pages (@nbdbphilippines).
The PRIME Philippines 2025 Media Briefing on the Mid-Year Philippine Real Estate Outlook entitled “Turning the Tide: The Business Edge in Evolving Times,” was held on August 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM, at GreatWork, 32nd Floor, Mega Tower, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
In this in-person session, PRIME presented the following topics:
2025 Mid-Year Real Estate Market Performance
Property Market Outlook for the remainder of 2025 and beyond
This event is exclusively organized for their valued media partners, as they shared timely and relevant market perspectives with the press community.
PRIME Philippines has organized and hosted the event for their valued media partners, as they shared where Philippine real estate finds strength in 2025. They shared the Industrial Market Update (Clustering-effect defines the industrial demand in 2025); Office Market Updated (Where the next office boom begins – beyond the orbit of Metro Manila);and Retail Market Update (Reshaping Retial: Evolving Formats, New Occupiers, and Regional Growth);
NBDB’s National Alliance of Reading Advocates (NARA) recently launched its 2025-2030 Agenda: Building a Reading Philippines from the Ground Up after a successful first year run
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The National Book Development Board’s National Alliance of Reading Advocates (NARA) is pushing to promote access and reading of Philippine books in the country.
In its State of the Reading Nation Address (SORNA) for the first semester of this year, NARA presented its progress in its 2025-2030 Agenda to further promote the access and reading of Philippine books by expanding access, foundational skills, and remediation through community-driven solutions, sustained partnerships, and scaling up of effective models.
“The NBDB continues to push for a stronger national readership by mobilizing its allies from around the country. The reading gap that we have now–as we have learned from recent surveys–deserves our immediate attention and action,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade. “This is exactly why we formed NARA: to mobilize both the public and private sectors in reversing this reading gap. It’s about responding to the issue at hand now, all while nurturing the next generations of readers.”
NARA is a project of the NBDB’s Readership Development Division, composed of 152 readership advocates and serves as an integral part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to boost the love for reading in the country. The alliance covers schools, universities, national government agencies, local government units, non-profit and small-scale organizations, and advocacy arms of corporations.
NARA’s Best Practices
“NARA has been instrumental in connecting us with partners who support our mission and advocacy at the center. The NBDB provided valuable insights, including notes on monthly surveys for book requests, a book return policy, and a library etiquette or code of conduct,” said Natalie Tabayan, Co-Lead of Better World Smokey Mountain (BWSM), an effort of AHA! Learning Center, which is one of NARA’s active members.
AHA! Learning Center is a non-profit organization that launched a reading campaign in Tondo, Manila last year to cultivate the love for reading and establish consistent reading habits among BWSM’s students. The initiative is an empathy-informed learning system, offering academic and social-emotional interventions for children, as well as support system skills development for parents and teachers.
With the help of other network members, AHA! Learning Center has significantly increased its collection of Filipino storybooks and improved its book spaces by adding more shelves, posters, and designs. It even established a dedicated reading corner for mothers, stocked with Filipino pocket books, Liwayway magazines, and other local fiction books.
“Through the NARA network, the Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation (CSAMF) had the opportunity to connect with like-minded organizations nationwide—sharing best practices, exchanging insights, and fostering meaningful collaborations in literacy development,” shared Rylene Ngeta-a, CSAMF’s Program Director, an active NARA member.
Over the past year, the organization has reached 910 learners who are either struggling or have the least access to reading support from different areas such as Pasig City, Tawi-Tawi, Rizal Province, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Mountain Province.
Ngeta-a emphasized that through NARA members’ shared innovations, authors, writers, and readers in many areas have deeper engagement with Philippine books.
The NBDB’s Alliance of Reading Advocates Push for a Three-Point Agenda to Promote Readership was announced on July 25, 2025 in NBDB’s Press Release.
Readers, creators and attendees are thrilled in attending and to celebrate with the Philippine International Comics Festival (PICOF) 2025 from July 5 – 6, 2025 at SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 2, Mandaluyong City.
Sixteen (16) Things You Can Do at PICOF 2025
Support over 200 indie comics creators launching over 100 new komiks!
Check out the exhibits (Mars Ravelo: Tales from the Magic Makinilya; Enter the Mulberry Tree and Fly Free; Country of Highlight; PALESTINE & PICOF Official Selection).
3. Learn from comics professionals from the Philippines and around the world at the comic masterclasses!
4. Watch “Komiks With a K” by documentary film director/producer Jay Ignacio, National Book Award Winning Author For “Alandal.”
5. Early birds get a FREE copy of the TUWA Comics anthology!
6. Get your caricatures made at the Caricature Corner of the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas!
7. Watch Komiks in the making at the Panels for Palestine live drawing corner!
9. Read your komiks haul at the lounge area of NBDB’s Book Bar!
10. Discover comics from other countries with the international delegates!
11. Learn the lost of art style of Filipino komiks at HAGOD: The Filipino School of Brush Illustrations for Komiks by Randy Valiente!
12. Share the love for komiks by taking a photo of your #picofhaul at the photo booth!
13. Get a limited edition KOMET art toy in the KOMET corner!
14. Support Palestine! This year’s Country of Highlight is PALESTINE!
15. Learn from ‘Itaewon Class’ creator Gwang Jin in his masterclass INK & INDUSTRY: Korean Webtoons and the Industry Landscape!
16. Festival Programming
What to look out for:
COMICS MARKET–support over 200 Filipino comics creators and publishers and international guests releasing over 100 new komiks!
COMICS EXHIBITS–a tribute to Filipino komiks master Mars Ravelo, the country of highlight, Palestine, and the PICOF Official Selection!
COMICS MASTERCLASSES–the Cartooning Workshop with Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas, the Live Drawing session, “Komiks With a K” film screening and workshops with our international guests!
FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING–on the stage we have Artist Battles, Panel by Panel Comics Readings, a Komiks Trivia Night–and much more surprises
NBDB BOOK BAR–take a break and lounge in NBDB’s book bar, and take a photo of your #picofhaul at the photobooth
There’s so much more to love at #picof2025. The PICOF 2025 TEAM are glad to have the diverse attendees to celebrate Filipino komiks amongst others of Festival of Delight!
From classrooms to communities, across institutions and islands—the COCOPEA–REX regional run gathers stakeholders and educators anew to lead, learn, and shape a better future for the Filipino learners.
As a new school year begins, educators are presented with an important opportunity to improve their teaching practices, serve their students more effectively, and ultimately, contribute to elevating the quality of education in our country. This year, with the Revised K–10 Curriculum taking root in our classrooms, that opportunity has never felt more urgent and meaningful.
This is the spirit behind the 2025 COCOPEA–REX regional run.
Organized by the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), and Rex Education, in partnership with the Department of Education, this initiative aims to equip educators with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively implement the Revised K–10 Curriculum, particularly for Grades 2, 3, 5, and 8.
A Transformative 2-Day Learning Journey Across the Archipelago
This year’s regional run, themed “Capacitating the Private Education Sector for the Effective Implementation of the Revised K–10 Curriculum,” aims to ensure that every Filipino learner has access to quality, relevant, and responsive education. The run began in Davao City on February 27–28, hosted by the University of the Immaculate Conception, Bajada Campus, welcoming educators from Regions 11, 12, SOCCSKSARGEN, and parts of BARMM. From there, the initiative traveled across the country through five more major legs: Baguio City – St. Louis University for Regions I, II, CAR, and parts of Region III, Cebu City – Cebu Institute of Technology for Regions VII, VIII, and parts of Region IX, Iloilo City – Angelicum College for Region VI, Cagayan de Oro – Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan for Region X, parts of BARMM and Region IX and Muntinlupa City – San Beda College Alabang for Regions NCR, IV-A, and IV-B
Over the 2-day program, participants were provided with the tools and platform to unpack the revised curriculum—not just in theory, but in practical, tangible ways. The first day opened with a plenary session that set the tone for the training—bringing together educators, administrators, and stakeholders to align on the goals and significance of the Revised K–10 Curriculum.
Following this, the second plenary session titled “General Updates on the Revised K–10 Curriculum” provided participants with an overview of the recent changes and developments, focusing on curriculum content and structural updates for the priority grade levels.
From there, participants moved into concurrent breakout sessions, grouped per learning area, for a curriculum walkthrough, where they engaged in two core activities:
● An In-depth Exploration of Learning Standards for Grades 2, 3, 5, and 8, clarifying what students are expected to know and do at each grade level
● Curriculum Unpacking of Learning Competencies for Grades 2, 3, 5, and 8, which involved breaking down each competency into practical, actionable teaching objectives
As the run transitioned into the second day, the focus shifted from understanding the curriculum to implementing it effectively in the classroom. It began with the third plenary session, titled “Evidence-Based Intervention: Focus on Pedagogical Practices and the Importance of Assessment,” highlighting how research-based teaching methods and meaningful assessments can drive better student learning outcomes.
School leaders, stakeholders, and educators nationwide take part in the 2025 COCOPEA-REX Regional Run—deepening their understanding and strengthening their readiness for the effective implementation of the Revised K–10 Curriculum, particularly for Grades 2, 3, 5, and 8.
This was followed by morning breakout sessions, again organized per learning area, that explored the Pedagogical Practices that Integrate and Develop Literacy and 21st-Century Skills through theoretical discussions and strategy-sharing. Educators shared strategies and discussed how to incorporate these essential skills into their teaching methods.
In the afternoon, educators participated in a series of hands-on workshops, still within their respective learning areas. These included:
● A workshop on pedagogical practices to further strengthen instruction that fosters literacy and 21st-century competencies
● A theoretical discussion and a workshop on effective assessment and feedback strategies, guiding educators in using assessment not only for grading but also for supporting student growth and reflective teaching.
Anchored in Purpose, Rooted in Legacy
This year’s run is especially meaningful as it coincides with REX’s 75th anniversary—a milestone that honors decades of commitment to supporting Filipino learners, educators, and institutions.
For 75 years, REX has stood not only as a learning solutions provider, but as a katuwang sa buhay—a partner for life, in learning, growth, and transformation. The regional run serves as a continuation of this legacy, reaching out to private schools, listening to their needs, and assisting them in navigating the evolving educational landscape through collaboration and shared learning.
Moving Forward, Together
With COCOPEA, CEAP, REX, DepEd, and countless Edukampyons at the forefront, this movement proves that progress is possible when we lead with collaboration, compassion, and courage. Even in the face of shifting systems and emerging challenges, we can always rise—grounded in legacy, driven by purpose—Para sa bata. Para sa mamamayan. Para sa bayan.
The social media movement showcases the Taiwanese culture of enjoyment in excellence in all aspects of life, motivating Filipinos online.
Garnering over four hundred and eighty thousand views and more than four thousand comments, the #BestDoneisFun jingle and music video rouses Filipinos on Facebook to be inspired by this anthem of excellence.
What’s the meaning of #BestDoneisFun?
The online movement spotlights a common perspective in Taiwan–where aiming for excellence is seen not as a stressful chore, but an enjoyable activity.
In a social media contest hosted by Taiwan Excellence PH, hundreds of Filipinos online were given the opportunity to share their inspiring, proudest moments–such as those with moving stories as parents, resilient Pinoys working hard to achieve their career dreams, and even people who share their journey overcoming lifelong struggles.
(The cast of the #BestDoneisFun online video series by Taiwan Excellence PH. From left to right: Kat Galang, Billy Jake Cortez, Divine Aucina, Ar Angel Aviles.)
#BestDoneisFun Episodic Short-Form Video Series
Following the #BestDoneisFun music video, Taiwan Excellence PH is also currently releasing an episodic, short-form video series on social media starring beloved internet celebrities such as Kat Galang, Billy Jake Cortez, Ar Angel Aviles, and Divine Aucina. The series highlights the socio-cultural practices and fun facts about how the #BestDoneisFun in Taiwan.
In Episode 1 of the series, the story brings to the screen the Taiwanese practice of being on time as a form of respect to others–portrayed in the form of a romantic comedy.
Following the meet-cute of main character Jessie and her crush from Taiwan, Episode 2 depicts her daydream of two of them in the future–complete with their long-lasting electronics made possible by the high quality of semiconductors from Taiwan.
The most recent episode continues the story by presenting “green flags” in a partner, showcasing Taiwanese traits such as strong work ethic, warm hospitality, and being family-oriented.
(Scene from the music video of the #BestDoneisFun jingle by Taiwan Excellence PH.)
The episode series is ongoing on social media–promising more fun facts about how the #BestDoneisFun in Taiwan, portrayed through entertaining short-form videos. Stay tuned as the next episode to be released follows the main characters looking for their next travel destination, later finding out about the cold beaches of Taitung and Hualien in Taiwan. More interesting details about Taiwan will also be brought into the spotlight in other succeeding video episodes–such as the one hundred percent implemented ban on plastic cups in cafes in Taiwan. The finale of the #BestDoneisFun series will also feature the unique yet world-famous street food delicacy in Taiwan: Stinky Tofu.
For me, the creation of #BestDoneisFun online initiative by Taiwan Excellence PH really sparks a movement of excellence for diverse Filipino netizen in the community & beyond.
About Taiwan Excellence
Taiwan Excellence Awards was launched by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), Taiwan, R.O.C. in 1993. All products carrying this symbol have been selected for specific Taiwan Excellence Awards based on their excellence in R&D, design, quality, and marketing through a rigorous selection process. Therefore, they symbolize exquisite, innovative Taiwanese products. Selected by the government, the award-winning entries represent the epitome of Taiwanese industrial prowess and the perfect image of excellent product quality. The Taiwan Excellence symbol is recognized worldwide as it is trademarked and promoted in 106 countries and regions. Please visit https://www.taiwanexcellence.org/en for more information.
For updates on the #BestDoneisFun episodic series and future raffle contests, follow Taiwan Excellence PH on Instagram and Facebook.
